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For Today...
'All for Jesus, all for Jesus'
The under-used closing hymn from Stainer's Crucifixion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcwzvLhqAH8 - it has to be this tune.(03/04/2025)
Recent links
'Our confidence is in the Lord'
I've checked several recordings of this, and the general verdict is, I play it with too much energy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZtCpBQkXO0 - a 1991 recording, from the Noel Richards album 'By Your side'.(02/04/2025)
'Before the Throne of God Above'
19th century hymn rescued from obscurity in the 1990s by pairing with a new tune from Vikki Cook.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-50pFs0hRpg - slightly different (more archaic) words from the ones we use, and a different musical treatment too, but it's clearly delivered and well done.(01/04/2025)
'Jesus, I worship You'
Fine worship song, and good for improvising around too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwZyOD7jByw - a Bowater recording of the song, with a piano introduction and another song following (Jesus at Your Name, using a variation on the same tune).(31/03/2025)
'Longing for Light, we wait in darkness (Christ be our Light)'
A fine hymn from the excellent Bernadette Farrell. Makes a good opener.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJq3bhdgQoc - beautifully done, but a tiny bit slow, I'd say.(30/03/2025)
'The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want'
Sung to Crimond. (Though the tune is much newer than the words: look in an older hymn book and you will probably find Wiltshire or St Fulbert set.) Some people love it, some people hate it. I suspect it has to do with the associations: Apart from at funerals, I've rarely played it in recent years.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=syJFsLZmO8o - from the choir of York Minster.(29/03/2025)
'Love Divine, all loves excelling'
One of Charles Wesley's masterpieces, and a top-drawer Welsh hymn tune.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hmfqe_8SEI - from Keswick, with piano-led band accompaniment.www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkThxONfQ7Y - sung in a traditional church setting, with organ accompaniment, nicely done (except for playing a whole verse of introduction and then only singing three!).
(28/03/2025)
'You are my anchor'
Something of a golden oldie now, but still a good and useful song. And oh dear, yet another one I like to take a tiny bit quicker.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N6tihSBZow - from 'The best of Stuart Townend live'.(27/03/2025)
'The Awesome God you Are'
A lively one from Matt Redman - makes a good opener. If I'm leading on my own, I prefer guitar to keyboard. (I also go a wee bit quicker than Mr Redman.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGUP4fD0ZaE - sung by Matt Redman.(26/03/2025)
'Holy Holy / Lift up His name'
One we haven't used for a while, but which I still think of as 'in repertoire'. The second half can usefully take a fair bit of Hammond!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBnNHiyEo5Q - a Phatfish live recording.(25/03/2025)
'Take O Take me as I am'
(And not, "...as I yam" - unless you're Popeye.) Beautiful 4-liner from John Bell and Graham Maule. To be used in the Taizé tradition. My best experience of this song is waiting in line to receive communion at Iona Abbey, singing this over and over, in full harmony.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7bXteoRnvQ - choir in harmony.(24/03/2025)
'May you find your way blessed'
A beautiful song of blessing, based on the Beatitudes, by Gareth Davies-Jones.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Lu5XbRbRA - an informal recording from Ashton Lane.(23/03/2025)
'Everyone needs compassion / Mighty to save'
Great fun for the band, and the congregation can certainly get stuck into the chorus.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt4_fxU94xA - a Hillsongs recording - lockdown style, from home.(22/03/2025)
'Yakanaka Vhangheri (English version: Listen Now for the Gospel)'
A lively Zimbabwean (Shona) song with a cantor and repsonse chorus.
hymnary.org/text/come_holy_spirit_melt_and_break_these_he - we use these words, published by the Wild Goose Resource Group.www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYdsskFFAkE - couldn't find a recording of the version we use: here's a slightly different one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQfw63wKxB4 - and another.
(21/03/2025)
'God beyond all names'
Lovely reflective and meditative song - not really for congregational singing, but good to use when you can.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Htrmq0g_Nk - beautifully done.(20/03/2025)
'How deep the Father's love for us'
A top-drawer Stuart Townend song. If you're leading it on your own, an open-string guitar version can be very effective.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLDGVl8D5UU - under-stated piano-led version, nicely done.(19/03/2025)
'It is a thing most wonderful'
Herongate and Brookfield are both perfectly good tunes. There'd be nothing wrong with using Brookfield for a change... but I can't find a recording of it being sung.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=78DAvd2TXXs - A Songs of Praise recording of this Victorian children's hymn, sung to Herongate.(18/03/2025)
'Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of All'
Two different interpretations of this John Bell / Wild Goose song.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpTacRtQKQ8 - a capella.www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2fNp9SaiGw - with guitar.
(17/03/2025)
'How sweet the name of Jesus sounds'
I can't find a recording of the lovely congregational arrangement we use, so here's the composer Chris Bowater bending Newton's great hymn into a solo version of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDFtgQKBqv4(16/03/2025)
'Everyday God'
Cantor and response. It's best appreciated if you join in with it, rather than just listening.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=maUEUJt10Pc - by Bernadette Farrell.(15/03/2025)
'God to enfold you'
In a group / congregational setting where you're not doing the 4 part harmony, it works well with guitar accompaniment.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxAM4JDkPus - this choir practice recording is the only one I could find.(14/03/2025)
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